CN108349634B

CN108349634B - Screw-type closure system with magnetic features

Info

Publication number: CN108349634B
Application number: CN201680069341.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C.雅各布; H.布伊瓦
Original assignee: ELC Management LLC
Current assignee: ELC Management LLC
Priority date: 2015-09-25
Filing date: 2016-08-29
Publication date: 2019-12-17
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-29
Also published as: WO2017053027A1; ES2806734T3; KR101996194B1; CN108349633A; JP2018528022A; EP3383758A1; HK1256061A1; AU2016326289A1; CN108349633B; HK1256064A1; CA2999721A1; EP3383757B1; US9845172B2; CA2999721C; AU2016326281A1; ES2882117T3; KR20180049118A; JP2018534213A; AU2016326289B2; CA2999726A1

Abstract

a closure-container system includes a threaded inner cap mounted to a threaded container and an enclosure that is rotatable and translatable relative to the inner cap. As the closure is rotated relative to the inner cap, one or more metal magnets located in the closure pull the cap toward one or more metal elements associated with the container. The cover and container are in direct contact so there is no unsightly gap. Moreover, this contact produces a satisfactory, reassuring metallic "click" sound, accompanied by a luxurious tactile feel, which collectively eliminates the clunks typically associated with rotating closures.

Description

screw-type closure system with magnetic features

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a screw-type container/closure system, any system in which a closure is rotated relative to a container when being mounted to and removed from the container.

Background

Container/closure systems in which the closure is rotated relative to the container when mounted to and removed from the container are well known. Examples of such systems include containers and closures with complementary threads, wherein the closure must complete at least one complete rotation relative to the container to fully seat on the container. Another example is a container/closure system where the closure completes less than one full rotation relative to the container to fully seat on the container. For example, the lug closure may be rotated 1/4 turns only or 1/2 turns only when seated on and removed from the container. In either type of rotary system, the closure and container are drawn together by their relative rotation. Typically, when some portion of the closure bottoms out on some portion of the container, rotation stops and the closure is fully installed on the container. Preferably, at this point, the closure forms an effective fluid seal on the container, while at the same time there is no discernable gap between the closure and the container. This is not always easy to achieve and it is often the case that when the closure is fully mounted on the container, there is a gap between the closure and the container. This gap hinders the aesthetic appeal of the package. Furthermore, when the closure is screwed onto the container and reaches a position where it is fully mounted on the container, this event is usually silent and presents no attention to the user. This is a problem to be corrected.

disclosure of Invention

Object of the Invention

the primary purpose of the present invention is to make a boring rotary closure a thing in the past by providing a luxurious experience to the consumer.

another primary objective is to eliminate the gap between the closure and the container in a threaded closure system.

SUMMARY

The present challenges are addressed by a closure (11) comprising a threaded inner cap (6) mounted to a threaded container (1) and a closure shell (9) that is rotatable and translatable relative to the inner cap (but only when the inner cap is fully mounted (i.e. bottomed) on the container). As the closure rotates relative to the inner cap, one or more magnets (10) located in the closure pull the closure towards one or more metallic elements associated with the container. The cover and container are in direct contact so there is no unsightly gap. Moreover, this contact produces a satisfactory, reassuring metallic "click" sound, accompanied by a luxurious tactile feel, which collectively eliminates the clunks typically associated with rotating closures.

drawings

fig. 1 is an exploded view of a screw closure system with magnetic features according to the present invention.

fig. 2 is a perspective view of the inner lid.

fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the inner cap of fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inner case.

fig. 5A and 5B depict the same components. Fig. 5A is a perspective view of the cover. In fig. 5B, a portion of the housing is cut away to show the interior of the housing.

Fig. 6A and 6B depict the same components. In fig. 6A and 6B, the casing is transparent in order to show how the invention works. Fig. 6A shows the cover before it falls onto the container. Figure 6b shows the housing after it has made contact with the container.

Figure 7 shows a detail of a cross section of the neck region in a preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description

The present invention is described with respect to an improved closure for a conventional mascara container and a stick applicator depending therefrom. However, the principles of the present invention can be extended to almost any system in which sealing is achieved by relative rotation between the container and closure. Thus, fig. 1 depicts a container (1) having a threaded neck (1 b) and shoulder (1 c). The container is suitable for containing a cosmetic product, a personal care product or substantially any product (P) in its internal reservoir (1 d). The product is accessible through an opening (1 e) in the neck of the container.

Unlike conventional containers, one or more ferromagnetic elements are associated with the container (1) in the region below the thread (1 a) of the threaded neck (1 b). One or more ferromagnetic elements are positioned such that they can interact with the magnet (10) of the casing (9). Examples of suitable ferromagnetic materials include iron, nickel, cobalt, and alloys containing ferromagnetic metals (such as steel). In some preferred embodiments, it is required that the ferromagnetic element and the magnet (10) are metallic and can contact each other with sufficient force to produce an audible click. For example, molding the shoulder of the container (1) with embedded ferromagnetic particles does not meet this requirement, as the contact between the magnet (10) and the shoulder does not produce that satisfactory, reassuring metal "click". On the other hand, in fig. 1, for example, a metal ring (2), such as steel, is placed on the neck (1 b) of the container and rests on the shoulder (1 c) of the container. In this embodiment, the contact between the metal magnet and the metal ring (2) does produce a satisfactory, reassuring metal "click" sound with a luxurious feel. The steel ring may be secured to the neck by any suitable means, such as an adhesive. In those types of closure-container systems that do not have a shoulder, one or more metal elements (i.e. the metal ring 2) must be fixed by some other means in the area underneath the thread (1 a) of the threaded neck (1 b).

The scraper (3) is positioned in the usual manner in the opening (1 e) of the neck (1 b) of the container (1), except for the flange (3 a) of the scraper, which flange (3 a) rests on the landing area (1 f) of the neck. The principles of the present invention are still applicable in those types of closure-container systems that do not have a wiper. In the applicator system of fig. 1, an applicator head (4), such as a mascara brush, is attached to a stem (5) depending from an inner cap (6) in a conventional manner well known in the art.

As now described, a preferred embodiment of a closure (11) according to the invention comprises elements 6-10. With reference to fig. 2 and 3, the threaded inner cap (6) comprises a thread (6 a) on its inside, the thread (6 a) being designed to work together with the thread (1 a) of the container (1). The threads of the container and the inner lid are such that the landing area (6 f) of the inner lid bottoms onto the landing area (1 f) of the container before the bottom surface (6 c) of the inner lid bottoms onto the metal ring (2) and/or the shoulder (1 c) of the container. Thus, when the inner cap is fully seated on the container, there is a gap between the bottom of the inner cap (6) and the shoulder (1 c) of the container (see fig. 6A). The inner cap also includes an annular flange (6 b) rising from a top surface (6 g) of the inner cap (6). On the outer surface (6 h) of the inner cap are one or more raised portions (6 d) extending between a top surface (6 g) and a bottom surface (6 c). Rising from the surface of each raised portion is a snap fitting (6 e) comprising a vertical portion (6 v) and an inclined portion (6 i). Preferably, the inner cap has at least two raised portions (6 d), more preferably at least three raised portions. Each of the convex portions has a height equal to the height of the inner lid (6) and has a specified width. As will be described below, the raised portions and the snap fittings are designed to cooperate with cut-outs (9 d) on the inner surface (9 a) of the casing (9).

the spring (7) sits on top of the inner lid (6). In fig. 6, the spring is shown as an annular flange (6 b) surrounding the inner cap. In this way, the annular flange of the inner cap stabilizes the spring. Alternatively, the spring may be sized to fit within the annular flange of the inner cap. The top end (7 a) of the spring is pushed against the inner housing (8). Thus, the spring tends to urge the inner cap and the inner housing apart.

The inner shell (8) is a cylindrical body that fills the upper space of the outer shell (9). The inner shell is fixed within the outer shell and does not move relative to the outer shell. Such an arrangement may be achieved, for example, by a friction fit between the outer shell and the inner shell and/or by an adhesive. An annular flange (8 b) depends from a bottom surface of the inner shell (8). In fig. 6, the spring (7) is shown as an annular flange encircling the inner shell. In this way, the annular flange of the inner shell stabilizes the spring. Alternatively, the spring may be sized to fit within the annular flange of the inner housing. The bottom end of the spring (7) is pushed and pressed on the inner cover (6). Thus, the spring (7) tends to push the inner casing (8) and the outer casing (9) away from the inner lid (6).

Referring to fig. 5, the cover (9) is a part of a closure that a user grips to open and close the container (1). The casing has an inner surface (9 a) and a bottom or open end (9 c) through which the casing houses the inner cover (6), the spring (7), the inner housing (8) and the magnet (10). The inner shell and the magnet are firmly connected to the inner surface of the outer shell such that they cannot move relative to the outer shell. However, the housing is able to translate and rotate relative to the inner cover. For example, the casing (9) can be slid up or down so that the inner lid is closer to or farther from the open end (9 c) of the casing. One or more grooves (9 b) are cut into the inner surface of the casing. The groove opens up onto the open end (9 c) of the housing. Each groove is designed to receive a magnet (10). Preferably, there are at least two such grooves, more preferably at least three. The magnet may be held in the groove by a friction fit or adhesive. The bottom of each magnet may extend slightly below the open end (9 c) of the casing so that they may contact one or more ferromagnetic elements (i.e. the metal ring 2) in the region below the thread (1 a) of the container (1). As the spacing between the magnets and the metal ring decreases (i.e. as the closure is screwed down on the container) and before the landing area (6 f) of the inner cap bottoms out on the landing area (1 f) of the container, the combined attractive force of all the magnets to the metal ring must be able to overcome the stretching force of the spring (7). The metal magnet itself may be a simple bar magnet of cylindrical or rectangular cross-section. For maximum effect, each magnet should be oriented so that one pole of the magnet is close to the metal ring and the other pole is far from the metal ring. One preferred magnet is a cylindrical neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet having a diameter of 1mm, a height of 7mm and a magnetization rating of N45. Magnets with lower magnetization levels, such as at least N20, at least N25, or at least N30, may also be useful.

Also located on the inner surface (9 a) of the casing (9) are one or more cut-outs (9 d). The cut-outs are designed to cooperate with one or more raised portions (6 d) located on the outer surface (6 h) of the inner cap (6). There is one cut (9 d) for each raised portion (6 d). Each cut-out comprises a higher portion (9 t), a shorter portion (9 s) and a reduced portion (9 r) opening into an open end (9 c) of the casing. At the top end of the reduced portion there is a projection (9 j) which is occasionally in abutment with a snap fitting (6 e) of the inner cap. The height of the shorter portion (9 s) is at least as high as and approximately equal to the height of the convex portion (6 d) of the inner lid (6). In order to slide the cover onto the inner cap, the cut-out (9 d) must be aligned with and slide over the raised portion (6 d). A reduced portion (9 r) of the casing allows the snap fitting (6 e) to enter into the cut-out (9 d) as the casing slides over the inner lid. The inner cap is bent inwards until the vertical portion (6 v) of the snap fitting passes over the projection (9 j). At this time, each convex portion of the inner lid is confined within the cutout of the housing, and the inner lid is held in the housing (9) and cannot be normally withdrawn from the housing. As we now describe, although the raised portion of the inner cap is confined within the cutout of the casing, some relative movement between the inner cap and the casing is still possible.

Functionality of screw-type closure system with magnetic features

Referring to fig. 6A, the convex portion (6 d) of the inner lid (6) is located in the shorter portion (9 s) of the cover case (9). At this time, the spring (7) tends to bias the inner casing (8) and the outer casing upward relative to the inner casing, so that the inner casing is pushed closer to the open end (9 c) of the outer casing, and so that the projection (9 j) of each cutout (9 d) is urged against the snap fitting (6 e). If the closure is rotated clockwise to close the container before the closure is fully seated on the container (1), the inner cap (6) may also rotate clockwise due to the net force of the lugs (9 j) acting on the snap fittings (6 e). As the magnet (10) comes closer to the metal ring (2), the magnetic force will be sufficient to overcome the spring bias and the cover will be pulled down relative to the inner cover if not for the top of the raised portion (6 d) to abut the top of the shorter portion (9 s) of the cutout (9 d). However, once the landing area (6 f) of the inner cap bottoms on the flange (3 a) of the scraper (3), the casing can be rotated (e.g. up to 10 ° to 45 °) relative to the inner cap (6), with the result that the higher portion (9 t) of the cut-out (9 d) of the casing moves over the raised portion (6 d) of the inner cap. Once this occurs, the attraction of the magnet (10) to the metal ring (2) overcomes the spring bias and pulls the closure (relative to the inner cap and container 1) down towards the ferromagnetic element (i.e. metal ring 2) until the magnet contacts the metal ring. Ideally, at this point, the open end (9 c) of the casing abuts against the metal ring, so there is no discernable gap. This is depicted in fig. 6B. The contact force between the magnet and the metal ring is sufficient to produce an audible click and to produce a satisfactory, reassuring metal "click" with a luxurious feel. The downward travel of the cover is achieved magnetically rather than by the user, and this provides a magical or luxurious feeling to the user. Because the closure shell (9) is able to slide downwardly independently of the inner lid, the closure system of the present invention ensures that there is no gap between the container and the closure when the package is in its closed configuration.

At this time, the convex portion (6 d) of the inner lid (6) is restricted in the higher portion (9 t) of the cutout (9 d) of the cover case (9). If we rotate the closure counter-clockwise to unscrew the closure from the container (1), the closure and the inner cap move as one because the side wall of the upper portion (9 t) abuts the raised portion (6 d) of the inner cap. As the inner cap rides on the threads (1 a) of the container, the inner cap and the closure begin to rise, separating the magnet (10) and the metal ring (2). Therefore, in order to achieve this counterclockwise rotation, the user must provide the force necessary to overcome the magnetic attraction between the magnet (10) and the metal ring (2). When the magnetic force is sufficiently weak due to this separation, the spring (7) pushes the cover (9) upward with respect to the inner lid (6). At this time, the cover can move independently of the inner lid. As the counter-clockwise rotation of the closure (9) continues, the inner lid is now at rest and the shorter portion (9 s) of the closure moves over the raised portion (6 d) of the inner lid. Quickly, the side walls of the shorter portion (9 s) push against the raised portion (6 d) of the inner cap, causing the inner cap to resume rotating counterclockwise with the closure until the inner cap is unscrewed from the container.

The design of the invention is such that the casing (9) experiences a net force from the magnet (10) and the spring (7). The net force of the magnet and spring is redirected (up or down relative to the inner cap 6) by tightening or loosening the inner cap on the container (1). When the inner cap is screwed onto the container, the magnet is sufficiently close to the ferromagnetic element that the attractive force overcomes the spring bias. At this point the net force is downward and if the upper portion (9 t) is located on the raised portion (6 d) the casing can translate downward. Similarly, when unscrewing the inner cap from the container, the magnet moves away from the ferromagnetic element until the spring bias can overcome the magnetic attraction, at which point the net force on the closure is upwards, and the closure can translate upwards if the upper portion (9 t) is on the raised portion (6 d). Thus, the cover can only be translated upwards and downwards relative to the inner cap when the raised portion (6 d) of the inner cap (6) is located in a higher portion (9 t) of the cover (9) than when the raised portion (6 d) is located in a lower portion (9 s) of the cover (9).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention (see fig. 7), the container (1) is provided with a metal collar (1 g) which fits around the neck (1 b) and rests on top of the metal ring (2). In this way, the metal ring (2) is hidden and the container has a finished and elegant appearance. Optionally, the container may have a lower shoulder (1 h). In this case, the collar rests on the lower shoulder, and may be a metal ring, and may fit tightly to the shoulder (1 c) to hold itself in place.

Claims

1. A container-closure system comprising:

A container (1) comprising a thread (1 a) and one or more ferromagnetic elements located in a region below the thread of the container;

A closure (11) comprising:

A threaded inner cap (6) having threads (6 a) for mounting to the container (1),

An enclosure (9) having an open end (9 c) and housing a threaded inner cap (6), wherein the enclosure is slidable up or down to bring the inner cap closer to or further from the open end (9 c) of the enclosure,

a spring (7) tending to bias the housing (9) upwardly relative to the inner cap (6) so that the inner cap is urged closer to the open end (9 c) of the housing,

One or more magnets (10) firmly connected to the casing (9) and tending to bias the casing downwards with respect to the inner cap (6) and towards the ferromagnetic element.

2. A container-closure system comprising:

A container (1) comprising:

An internal reservoir (1 d) adapted to contain a product,

A threaded neck (1 b),

A shoulder part (1 c) is arranged on the upper surface of the main body,

an opening (1 e) in the neck of the container, and

One or more ferromagnetic elements located in a region below the thread (1 a) of the threaded neck (1 b);

A closure (11) comprising:

a casing (9) comprising:

an inner surface (9 a),

one or more cut-outs (9 d) on the inner surface, wherein each cut-out comprises a higher portion (9 t), a lower portion (9 s) and a protrusion (9 j); and

An inner shell (8) firmly connected to the inner surface (9 a) of the outer casing (9) so that the inner shell cannot move relative to the outer casing;

An inner lid (6) comprising:

A thread (6 a) for mounting to the container (1),

An outer surface (6 h) having one or more raised portions (6 d) and snap fittings (6 e), each of which is confined within one of the cutouts (9 d) of the casing (9); and

a stem (5) depending from the inner cap into the internal reservoir (1 d) of the container (1), said stem having an applicator head (4) connected thereto;

a spring (7) located between the inner lid (6) and the inner shell (8) tending to bias the projection (9 j) against the snap fitting (6 e);

One or more magnets (10) firmly connected to the inner surface (9 a) of the casing (9), tending to bias the casing towards the ferromagnetic element;

Wherein:

the cover (9) can only be translated upwards and downwards relative to the inner cap (6) when the raised portion (6 d) of the inner cap is located in the higher portion (9 t) of the cut-out (9 d) and not when the raised portion is located in the lower portion (9 s).

3. Container-closure system according to claim 2, wherein the one or more ferromagnetic elements are a metal ring (2) placed on the neck (1 b) of the container (1) and resting on the shoulder (1 c) of the container.

4. A container-closure system according to claim 2 in which each magnet is retained within a groove (9 b) cut into the inner surface (9 a) of the casing (9) and opening up onto the open end (9 c) of the casing.

5. a container-closure system according to claim 4, wherein the bottom of each magnet extends slightly below the open end (9 c) of the casing (9).

6. the container-closure system of claim 2, wherein the magnet is a neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnet having a N45 magnetization rating.

7. a container-closure system according to claim 5 wherein when the inner cap (6) is fully seated on the container (1), there is a gap between the bottom surface (6 c) of the inner cap and the shoulder (1 c) of the container.

8. a container-closure system according to claim 2, further comprising a lower shoulder (1 h) and a metal collar (1 g) fitting around the neck (1 b) of the container (1) and resting on the lower shoulder to conceal the metal ring (2).